About the book

Vacuum Science and Technology

A little bit about almost nothing…

About the book:

The importance of vacuum in science and industry

Vacuum has played a crucial role in science and industry for decades. We only need to think of longstanding examples like vacuum packaging, light bulbs, freeze drying of foodstuffs, X-ray tubes, space technology, vacuum coating and, closely related to it, more fundamental instances such as high energy storage rings and the research on solid state surfaces. In recent years both science and industry have made new significant progress in the field of vacuum technology. Vacuum has entered into more and more areas of research and industries, and meanwhile forms the backbone for efficiency, precision and higher revenues. The production of solar cells and organic displays has left its infancy, science has focused en masse on nano-sized subjects and meanwhile the chip industry is on the brink of performing the most crucial step in the IC production, lithography, in vacuum. It’s anyhow not exaggerated to say that without the ability to evacuate small and large volumes we would still be at the technological level
of the early 20th century.

About the book:

New international edition of Dutch standard work ‘Basisboek Vacuümtechniek’

‘Vacuum Science and Technology’ is a brand-new international edition of the Dutch standard work ‘Basisboek Vacuumtechniek’, first published in 2000 by the Dutch Vacuum Society NEVAC. This volume has since proven to be a real “bestseller” on vacuum physics and technology in the Dutch language region. In the new English edition, ISBN 978-90-9029137-6, released February 2016 by the consortium The High Tech Institute & Settels Savenije van Amelsvoort NL, the main author Bert Suurmeijer, PhD with co-authors Theo Mulder, BSc and Jan Verhoeven, PhD have included all currently relevant knowledge for everybody who works in vacuum-based research, instrumentation, development, production or business.

About the book:

An excellent reference work

‘Vacuum Science and Technology’ may indeed be characterized as a new standard reference work covering the complete field of vacuum physics and technology. The book contains all 21st century innovations in the vacuum domain. The authors have added important novelties on pumps, pressure measurement and partial pressure gauges. The section on leak detection is totally revised. More focus is on counterflow leak detectors, whose maximum achievable sensitivity has increased significantly in the past decade. Two new inside-out leak detection methods are presented, namely the atmosphere method and ‘bombing’. The arsenal of available leak detection instruments has been extended with multigas sniffer systems, hydrogen leak detector and quartz window sensor. The section on cleaning procedures has been adapted to the changed insights in this area and more focused on complete vacuum systems. Finally, a number of figures has been added or renewed.
All in all, the book forms an indispensable resource for researchers, engineers, maintenance staff and sales managers concerned with vacuum-related topics. Throughout the volume, both basic physics and present day technology receive ample attention.

About the book:

A unique multi-purpose course manual

‘Vacuum Science and Technology’ is not only an excellent reference work but also useful as a flexible text book with a unique graded structure. Text meant for high graduates is placed behind margin lines. Omitting this text gives a textbook for middle graduates. Both with and without the margin texts the volume shows the desired internal coherence for the associated training level. Exercises are included in two degrees of difficulty. The clear layout makes the book perfectly suitable for (combined) higher as well as secondary level training.
The setup somewhat deviates from the custom in scientific literature in the sense that the authors decided to not include references in the book. Although this may slightly affect its value as a reference book, they still believe that this disadvantage does not outweigh the advantage of a textbook where the flow of reading is not disturbed by excessive well-intended references. Furthermore, to the authors’ opinion the internet can now be regarded as a useful, ever-renewing and growing source of information for those who want to “dig deeper” into a specific subject. For example, the free online encyclopedia Wikipedia offers up-to-date information and literature references on nearly all vacuum subjects. Viewed in this light, it seems reasonable to argue that the inclusion of references become less relevant.
The book is written by three Dutch specialists in vacuum physics and technology and former lecturers in this field. They all three are honorary members of the Dutch Vacuum Society NEVAC.
Educatorsstudents and course participants will experience the book as a balanced synthesis of ‘in-depth’ vacuum physics and modern practice.